St. Bernard Puppy Information

Appearance

• Your Saint Bernard puppy can have either a short- or long-haired coat. Colors range from a mahogany to deep brown with white markings. Black shading on the face and ears is normal. Your puppy will grow into an adult dog with a large muscular build, often weighing between 130 to 180 pounds at maturity and standing 27 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder.

Grooming

• Daily brushing of your puppy is required, because Saint Bernards shed heavily. Drool also can be a consideration with this breed; they drool very heavily after they eat and drink, but they drool all throughout the day.

Training

• Saint Bernards are highly intelligent dogs that want to please you, so training your puppy is relatively easy, if you are firm and consistent. It is especially important to start training your puppy early, because your puppy will be so large as an adult dog. If you teach your puppy not to jump on people and how to walk on a leash, for example, it will be a lot easier to control your dog when it weighs 150 pounds.

Exercise

• Saint Bernards require a moderate amount of daily exercise. Overweight puppies are more likely to develop bone and joint problems in adulthood, and bored Saint Bernards tend to become destructive..

Health

• Due to their fast growth rate and large size, hip dysplasia and deterioration of the bones is common. A proper diet and exercise help prevent bone loss. Eye disorders, entropion and ectropion, are also common with this breed. The average lifespan is eight to 10 years due to adult-onset health problems.

Other Considerations

• A Saint Bernard puppy will grow into a very large dog. That means you that need a lot of room in your house and your car, and that you will pay more for most things, such as dog food, medication, dog toys, etc.